A sign marks the Ottawa County Road Commission garage in Coopersville.
By Jeffrey Cunningham

Ottawa County will spend the next year reviewing whether to disband the county Road Commission and move its operation under the supervision of the county Board of Commissioners.

Earlier this year Gov. Rick Synder signed a bill that makes it easier for counties to disband their road commissions and move their responsibilities to county boards of commissioners.

Road commissions are appointed by the county board but operate independently.

The new law allows for county boards to oversee the operations of the road commissions without a separate board. The new law was part of Synder's ongoing effort to consolidate government operations.

Representatives from road commissions across the state spoke out against the change in the law, citing the need for the separation to keep federal and state funds that flow to counties for roads from instead finding their way into the county's general funds.

Some counties like Ingham County near Lansing, voted to disband its road commission the day the new law was signed, citing a need to dissolve a dysfunctional road commission.

Ottawa County officials say that they are in no hurry to disband their road commission. "We have a road commission that is maintaining our roads very well," said Ottawa County Administrator Alan Vanderberg.

Muskegon County is in the same position, said Muskegon County Board Chairman Kenneth Mahoney. "We have a jail project going on right now, construction of wind turbines at the waste water treatment plant, and for us, this is not a priority right now," he said. "At some point we may look at it, but we have a good working relationship with the road commission and it is nice to be able to turn questions about the roads over to them."

Phil Kuyers, chairman of the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners, moved this week to form a committee to study the pros and cons of keeping the Road Commission or disbanding it. The committee will be comprised of two county commissioners, two road commissioners, and two members of the public. "We hope to have a report on the matter by June of 2013," Kuyers said.